According to John McClain, the contract includes 10.8 guaranteed with a $5.25 million signing bonus.

This comes shortly after the team declined to pick up Mercilus’ fifth-year option worth $7.751 million for the 2016 season.

Mercilus, 24, has one year remaining on his four-year, $7,634,088 rookie contract that included $6.55 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $1,431,012 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Mercilus appeared in 15 games for the Texans and recorded 50 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 35 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense out of 46 qualifying players.